Watch: Sanders throws 69-yard TD in back-and-forth first quarter

Sanders stood confidently in the pocket as it collapsed around him and delivered a strike 40 yards downfield to Horn, who showed his speed in space by blowing past the North Dakota State defense for the score.

Sanders finished the first quarter 5-of-5 for 134 yards and two touchdowns. The Buffaloes needed every bit of his production as the defense struggled against the FCS competition.

North Dakota State quarterback Cam Miller was 7-of-8 for 125 yards in the first quarter, and the Bison dominated time of possession, 11:35-3:25.

They reclaimed the lead early in the second on a Miller seven-yard touchdown run, meaning Colorado needs more Sanders heroics to get a Week 1 win.

In a recent 2025 NFL mock draft from The Athletic, Nick Baumgardner had the Raiders taking Sanders with the ninth-overall pick.

He certainly looked the part early, which a projected first-round quarterback should against an FCS team.

It probably doesn’t bode well for Colorado’s chances in the Big 12 that it was outplayed in the first half by North Dakota State, but at least Sanders should have plenty of opportunities to produce highlight throws.